Listening to God’s Voice

There’s a reason why we have spent so much time thinking about hearing God’s voice

It’s a “so that”, like our Mission Statement

“Living and Loving like Jesus SO THAT lives are transformed and hope restored”

Listening to God’s Voice

There’s a reason why we have spent so much time thinking about hearing God’s voice

“Listening to God’s voice SO THAT lives are transformed and hope restored”

Listening to God’s Voice

Quiz question: 9, 10, 11

Listening to God’s Voice

Where does John 10 come in the Bible?

After John 8 and 9

Context is important

Listening to God’s Voice

“I am the light of the world” 8:12“I stand with the Father as judge” 8:16“I am from above” 8:23“I am the one I claim to be” 8:28“My Father is the one who glorifies me” 8:54“I am” 8:58

Jesus stands in the Temple and claims to be God:

Listening to God’s Voice

While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ After saying this, he spat on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. ‘Go,’ he told him, ‘wash in the Pool of Siloam’ (this word means ‘Sent’). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. (John 9:5-7)

And proves it:

Listening to God’s Voice

Then they hurled insults at [the healed beggar] and said, ‘You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.’ (John 9:28-29)

Religious reaction:

Listening to God’s Voice

The man answered, ‘Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.’ (John 9:30-33)

Believer’s testimony:

Listening to God’s Voice

Religion doesn’t understand what God is doing

Religion opposes what it doesn’t understand or can’t control

The classic confrontation:

Listening to God’s Voice

1. The sheep pen in the village 10:1-5

Jesus gives two illustrations

2. The sheep pen in the country 10:7-10

Listening to God’s Voice

1. The sheep pen in the village 10:1-5

Listening to God’s Voice

1. The sheep pen in the village 10:1-5

Sheep from different flocksA watchman cares for them overnightThe shepherds come to fetch their sheep outThe shepherd has right of accessThe sheep know his voice and follow him

Listening to God’s Voice

2. The sheep pen in the country 10:7-10

Listening to God’s Voice

2. The sheep pen in the country 10:7-10

The shepherd sits in the gate

The shepherd IS the gate

All movement is done through the shepherd

Listening to God’s Voice

Two pictures of Jesus

1. The shepherd who comesThe shepherd who claimsThe shepherd who calls

2. The gateway to the Kingdom

Listening to God’s Voice

Two pictures of the people

1. Some are trapped by religion

2. Some hear the shepherd’s voiceand follow him into a new life

Listening to God’s Voice

Look into the mirror

Listening to God’s Voice

Look into the mirror

1. Have we heard the shepherd’s call?

2. Have we recognised his voice?

3. Will we leave the false security of religion and go where He calls?

Listening to God’s Voice

A community of hearers

A community of believers

A community of followers

This why we try to hear God